Organic Seeds

• Seeds that are certified as organic must meet special U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, much like certified organic vegetables or fruits. Specifically, organic seeds must not be genetically modified organisms, must be kept separated from noncertified seeds and must not be exposed to artificial fertilizers, pesticides or other agricultural chemicals.
  
  

Organic Collards

• To grow organic collards, a farmer or gardener is required to use certified organic seeds in order for their collards to meet organic standards. Organic collard seeds will not always be available to gardeners or farmers, and conventional seeds may only be used when organic seeds are not available. Conventional gardeners may also opt for organic collard seeds, though, to help avoid exposure to genetically modified organisms or artificial agricultural chemicals.
  
  

Heirloom Varieities

• Some types of organic collards are called heirloom varieties. Heirloom seeds are from cultivars -- or breed types -- that were developed before large-scale agriculture and inbred industrial varieties. Some gardeners prefer the taste of heirloom collards and their ability to consistently breed true.